Citizens police academy to be held for seniors

Residents will learn how and why police do what they do and how it can help them

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By Paula VoglerEnterprise Correspondent

The Enterprise, Brockton, MA

By Paula VoglerEnterprise Correspondent

Posted Apr. 23, 2014 at 6:00 AM

By Paula VoglerEnterprise Correspondent

Posted Apr. 23, 2014 at 6:00 AM

» Social News

EAST BRIDGEWATER – For the first time, the East Bridgewater Police Department will hold a citizens police academy for seniors at the town’s community-senior center.

The 8-10 week course will cover a variety of topics, ranging from domestic violence, elder abuse and a tour of a SWAT vehicle to traffic, radar and OUI problems, as well as many other facets of police work, according to Sgt. Steven Brown.

“We want to give them a different perspective,” Brown said. “We want to make sure they are aware of what we do, the services we provide and why we operate the way we do.”

The course begins this Thursday, Apr. 24 and runs each Thursday from 10 a.m.-noon. Council on Aging Activities Director Sue Prendergast said 23 people had signed up as of Tuesday.

“We hope to just have the seniors more familiar with the police. I think it helps keep them informed on what is going on,” Prendergast said. “The faces (will be) more familiar so they are not so afraid to call when they need help.”

In addition to learning about what officers do, Brown said he hopes the seniors will develop a rapport with officers and will have a better understanding of what officers are doing when they see them on duty.

As an example, Brown said, just because an officer is not smiling, he is not being rude; he is concentrating on his job. Sometimes there are two police cars on the scene and sometimes there is only one. Seniors will learn why during the course.

“It’s an eye-opener,” Brown said.

The department had success with citizens police academies in the past, including those held for high school students, but then Brown said interest started to wane.

“Now the interest seems to be cycling back,” Brown said.

Brown said the program is more a seminar than a class and there are no tests. He is hoping to learn from the seniors as well.

“They will hopefully have suggestions on how we can do our job better,” Brown said.

Brown said the program is free of charge to participants and that the different officers who will speak each week are volunteering their time.

If a senior cannot make all the meetings, Prendergast said, they could still sign up and come to the meetings they can make. She said registration is still open.